“And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” 2 Samuel 12:22-23

Death and pain are a very real part of life. For the most part we never know when death will choose to take us on to the other side but, we do know that it is coming. True there are those for what ever reason get sick and when death occurs we can almost see it coming but, for most people it is not so. Because death reveals to us our mortality I am certain that it is for this reason that we most fear it. Never the less the Words that God speaks to us are very true when he states that it is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgment. This statement renders death and judgment inevitable; something that we will never escape. Today I am saddened by the tragedies of the May 19-20, 2013 tornados that devastated many parts of our great state. Of course I am saddened anytime that death occurs and especially when it is the result of a tragedy such as this. I think that it hits me hardest when there are children involved though. There is just something about the death of an innocent that truly breaks my heart. The proceeding scripture reminds me of the death of another child that happened a very long time ago. Though the events surrounding the death of the child of King David may not be the same, I am sure the tragedy connected to this father’s broken heart was just as real. One of the things that I think is most relevant to our time in this passage of scripture is the statement that David made to his servants directly following the death of his child. David had been fasting and praying for hours if not days asking God to spare the life of his child but God did not. After David’s child died he got up from laying himself out before the Lord, cleaned himself up, put on fresh clothing and went into the House of the Lord to worship. He then ordered food to be prepared as he sat down to eat. This to his servants was very strange since it was after death that most people mourned rather than before. After his servants had finished murmuring amongst themselves they approached David about his confusing actions. They asked the King why it was that he had fasted and wept for the child before his death but now had entered into the House of the Lord to worship and had cleaned himself up to sit down to eat. Most people at this point in the story would be sad if not mad. They may be angry at God, depressed at the death of such a young child amongst many other emotions that would be running rampant inside them but David was not responding like most people. David’s servants found this very confusing. The answer that David gave was probably the best answer that anyone could give in such a situation. In essence the King said that while his child was alive all he could do was bring him to God in hope that the Lord would spare his life. Now that his child was gone then why should he fast and weep? That would not bring his child back to him. Truly he understood that his child would never return to him but that he would have the opportunity to go to where his child was. God speaking through David in this passage of scripture acknowledges for us two things. First of all that when a child dies that he immediately goes into the presence of the Lord. This brings comfort to our hearts in that we know that God does not condemn the innocent. This passage also teaches us that David understood where it was that his child had gone and knew that it would be possible to join him. Even as David penned the 23rd Psalm in his old age he was secure in the knowledge that he was bound to dwell in the House of the Lord forever and I am certain that he knew that he would see his child again. It is saddening when a child dies and even more so when many die at once as in the recent tragedy that has just befallen our state. Truly, there is no way to bring those babies back but as a great King once said, “I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” The Lord is gracious and faithful to his promise. He has said that anyone that would call out to him, repent of their sin and give their life over to him that he would grant them life with him in eternity. Why don’t you take a moment to call out to him in true faith? Turn from your sin and surrender your life to him. I am sure there is someone in heaven tonight waiting for you that you cannot bring back but, you can go to be where they are. Call upon the Lord while there is time. Death rides beside us all on a daily basis and you never know when it will call your name.